Cartridge storage case

ABSTRACT

A cartridge storage case includes: a first cartridge storage case having a substantially rectangular shape, and including a first projection, a first recess and a first divided compartment holding a group of cartridges; a second cartridge storage case having a substantially rectangular shape, and including a second projection, a second recess and a second divided compartment having a substantially identical shape with the first divided compartment; and a hinge connecting a side of the first cartridge storage case with a side of the second cartridge storage case being opposite to the side of the first cartridge storage case, wherein the first and second cartridge storage case comprise an elongated handle through hole, respectively, which is provided in a side location which is opposite to a side where the hinge is provided in the first and second cartridge storage case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cartridge storage case which storestherein a flat-shaped cartridge which incorporates therein a reel roundwhich a magnetic tape is wound, and more particularly to a techniquewhich prevents an easy separation of an upper case and a lower casewhich make up the cartridge storage case.

2. Background Art

In a conventional multipackage of one-reel type magnetic recording tapecartridges, as is shown in FIG. 6, cartridges 1 were stored in cases 3on a one-cartridge-in-one-case basis, and a plurality of cases 3 werethen put together to be packed in a corrugated box 5, so as to securecushioning properties.

In the case of the multipackage like this, however, since the cartridges1 were stored within the corrugated box 5, the corrugated box 5 neededto be opened to confirm whether or not the cartridges 1 were actuallystored or which type of cartridges 1 were stored therein, causing aproblem with convenience. In addition, with the cartridges 1 packed inthe corrugated box 5, when it was submerged, the corrugated box 5 wassoaked and saturated with water, having to encounter a problem that thecorrugated box 5 failed.

In view of these situations, a case 7 as shown in FIG. 7 was developedto be disclosed in LTO-Ultrium L-pack, (online), TDK Co., Ltd.,(retrieved on Nov. 14, 2005), Internet, (URL:http://www.tdk.com/professional/lto/lto-pack.html) and to be marketed inwhich the case strength was not damaged even though the case 7 was wetwith water and a multipackage of cartridges 1 was enabled by atransparent plastic which allowed the contents therein to be seen fromthe outside.

However, the case described in the non-patent document No. 1 was suchthat storage spaces 9 for storing cartridges 1 individually were definedby a plurality of partitioning projections, so that the cartridges 1were kept in the storage spaces 9 so defined on aone-cartridge-in-one-storage-space basis. Namely, cartridges were storedin a separated fashion. Because of this, in actual cartridge storingwork, cartridges 1 needed to be stored one by one, and in particular,when there were a large number of cartridges 1 to be stored, a problemwas caused that the handling efficiency of those cartridges 1 wasdeteriorated. In addition, in the case 7, since the storing spaces 9were defined one by one, the whole of a storing area of the case 7 (thatis, an upper opening area of the case 7) was equally divided by theindividual storing spaces 9. Because of this, loads of substantially allof the stored cartridges 1 tended to be concentrated on terminating endportions 13, 15 of side walls of the case 7 which constitute cornerportions thereof, and the concentration of the loads in such a waydeteriorated the resistance to impact of the case 7, leading to aproblem that the impact absorbing capability of the case 7 at the timeit dropped was reduced.

In view of these situations, the applicant of the subject patentapplication developed before a cartridge storage case which couldincrease the cartridge storing work efficiency while maintaining theresistance to impact.

FIGS. 8 to 10 being drawings which explain a cartridge storage caseaccording to a preceding invention based on which the present inventionwas made, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view which shows an uppercase and a lower case in a separated state, FIGS. 9A and 9B showexplanatory drawings of the upper case, in which FIG. 9A is a plan viewof the upper case, and FIG. 9B is a side view of the same case, andFIGS. 10A and 10B show explanatory drawings of the cartridge storagecase, in which FIG. 10A is a view as shown in a direction indicated byan arrow A in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 10B is an external view of a main partof the cartridge storage case which shows impact-absorbing ribs providedon an external wall surfaces of a divided compartment of the cartridgestorage case.

A cartridge storage case 100 can preferably be used to store, forexample, flat-shaped cartridges 21 which each incorporate therein a reelround which a magnetic tape is wound.

The cartridge 21 incorporates therein the magnetic tape wound reel insuch a way that an axis of the reel is aligned in a thickness directionof the cartridge. In this embodiment, while the cartridge 21 will bedescribed as being formed into the shape of a square flat body, thecartridge may additionally be formed into the shape of a rectangularflat body.

The cartridge case 100 is made to be closed in an openable fashion bybringing an upper case 23 and a lower case 25, which are constructedidentically, into a face-to-face superposed state for engagement witheach other. A plurality of divided compartments 27 are designed to beformed in an interior of the cartridge storage case 100 by bringing theupper case 23 and the lower case 25 into engagement with each other. Inthe case of this embodiment, four divided compartments 27 are formed. Agroup of cartridges 29, which is formed into a block-like shape byarranging a plurality of cartridges 21 in parallel in a thicknessdirection thereof as shown in FIG. 8, is made to be held in each dividedcompartment 27. Note that the cartridges 21 are disposed, as shown inFIG. 8, in such an orientation that tape exposure openings, where thestrength is reduced, are disposed upwards so that the tape exposureopenings lie in a central part of the divided compartment 27. Thecartridges 21 may be more preferably disposed in such a way that thetape exposure openings of the cartridges in one of the dividedcompartments 27 face to the tape exposure openings of the cartridges inthe adjacent divided compartment. In this case, the tape exposureopenings of the cartridges in the respective divided compartments 27 areoriented towards an inward central part of the cartridge storage case,whereby the tape exposure openings can be protected against an impactapplied from the outside of the case.

Here, one divided compartment 27 is formed to have substantially thesame storage space as the volume of the group of cartridges 29 which ismade up of five cartridges 21. Consequently, since there is provided nopartitioning wall for each cartridge 21 in each divided compartment 27,even though cartridges 21 are packed in the divided compartment 27 withno care, they can be stored in the compartment easily. For example, afew cartridges 21 can be grasped together to be packed in the dividedcompartment 27, and hence, the cartridge storing work efficiency isimproved remarkably compared to the conventional procedure in whichcartridges are picked up one by one to be packed in the storage space.

Thus, assuming that the storage area for a single cartridge is the same,with the collective storage of the plurality of cartridges 21 which areformed into a block, an extra area which does not contribute to thestorage of cartridges can be secured, when compared to the case wherethe plurality of cartridges 21 are stored in the individually separatedfashion. In the cartridge storage case 100, portions produced as theextra space are made use of as an impact absorbing portion (a so-calledcrushable zone).

Namely, flanges 31, 31 are provided on both end sides of the upper case23 and the lower case 25 in an axial direction of the magnetic tapewound reel in such a manner as to extend therefrom as an impactabsorbing portion. A handle opening 33 is opened in each flange 31 whichfunctions as a handle when the case is carried. Namely, the cartridgestorage case 100, which is completed by bringing the upper case 23 andthe lower case 25 into engagement with each other, is made to be carriedvertically by gripping on one of the flanges 31 by the hand which ispassed through one of the handle openings 33 with the other flange 31being placed downwards. In addition, the cartridge storage case 100 maybe carried horizontally by gripping on both the flanges 31 by the handswhich are inserted through the handle openings 33, 33, respectively.

When the cartridge storage case 100 is carried vertically, as describedabove, by gripping on one of the flanges 31 by the hand which is passedthrough the handle opening 33 in the relevant flange 31 with the otherflange 31 being placed downwards, should the cartridge storage case 100slip off the hand, the cartridge storage case 100 will fall to hit theground violently. As this occurs, the flange 31, which functions as theimpact absorbing portion, is deformed because of loads of the cartridgestorage case 100 and the groups of cartridges 29, and the impact energyis absorbed by virtue of the deformation of the flange 31, whereby animpact applied to the cartridges 21 stored in the case is designed to bemitigated.

In general, the cartridge 21 tends to be easily damaged by an impactapplied in the axial direction of the reel. This is because there mayoccur a case where a tape projection is produced on an end face of thewound tape, and in case the end of the wound tape collides against areel flange at the projection so produced, whereby the tape is collapsedor bent, the smooth taking up and feeding of the magnetic tape isinterrupted, and in the worst case, reading and writing are disabled. Inthis embodiment, by providing the flanges 31 which function as theimpact absorbing portions in the axial direction of the reel of thecartridge 21, the resistance to impact in the axial direction of thereel is made to be increased which is weak against impact.

FIG. 10B is an external view of a main part of the cartridge storagecase which shows impact-absorbing ribs 35 which protrude outwards fromthe divided compartment 27. Consequently, even in the event that anobject is brought into collision with the cartridge storage case 100from the outside, spaces are formed between an external wall surface ofthe case and the cartridges 21 stored therein by the impact-absorbingribs 35, whereby the resistance to impact is designed to be increaseddue to the impact-absorbing ribs 35 functioning as a cushion material.

The cartridge storage case 100 is made up of the upper case 23 and thelower case 25, which are constructed identically and on each of which araised portion (a projection) 41 and a recessed portion (a recess) 43are provided in such a manner as to be brought into engagement withtheir mating recessed and raised portions. In this embodiment, as shownin FIG. 9( a), the elongated projection 41 and the recessed groove 43are formed around a circumference of the upper case 23 which surroundsthe four divided compartments 27 in such a manner as to be verticallysymmetrical with each other relative to a center line 45 of the uppercase 23. Namely, on the upper case 23 and the lower case 25, theelongated projection 41 is continuously formed into a U-shape on oneside and the recessed groove 43 is formed continuously into a U-shape onthe other side of the case across the center line 45.

When the upper case 23 and the lower case 25, which are constructedidentically, are combined together vertically, the elongated projections41 enter the recessed grooves 43, respectively, for engagement with eachother, whereby the divided compartments 27 are closed tightly, so thatthe cartridge storage case 100 can not only obtain the resistance towater but also float in the water. In addition, the cartridge storagecase 100 can protect the cartridges 21 stored therein against dust,moisture, splashed water, and other hazardous substances. Namely, thesingle case can be used as contents as well as a lid. Thus, thecartridge storage case 100 which can be opened and closed by theelongated projections 41 and the recessed grooves 43 and in which thedivided compartments 27 are formed is made up of the case of one typethat is molded from a single mold.

In addition, a partitioning portion 47 is provided between the adjacentdivided compartments 27. This partitioning portion is formed into ashape and with a thickness, which will be described later on, whichfacilitate its deformation when an impact is applied. Namely, when thecartridge storage case 100 is dropped to hit the ground, an impactgenerated then is mitigated by virtue of the deformation of thepartitioning portion 47. The partitioning portion 47 is interposedbetween the divided compartments 27 vertically and horizontally, so asto deal with the crash of the cartridge storage case 100 in bothdirections; from a side where the flange 31 is provided and a side whichis 90° apart from the side. In this embodiment, the partitioningportions 47 are formed into the shape of a cross in such a way as topartition the interior of the cartridge storage case 100 into the fourequally divided compartments 27.

In this cartridge storage case 100, since the partitioning portions 47are interposed between the divided compartments 27 in which groups ofcartridges 29 are stored individually, even in the event that an impactis applied to each of the groups of cartridges 29, for example, due tothe cartridge storage case 100 falling to hit the ground, thepartitioning portions 47 absorb the impacts, so that an impact force dueto the inertia of the group of cartridges 29 is prevented from affectingthe adjacent groups of cartridges 29.

Incidentally, the cartridge storage case 100 in which the groups ofcartridges 29 are stored is stored in a corrugated box, not shown, whichhas an interior shape which is substantially the same as an exteriorshape of the cartridge storage case 100. Because of this, in order toimprove the ease with which the cartridge storage case 100 is taken outof the corrugated box, a chamfered portion 49, which constitutes asloping edge which is inclined about 45° relative to the flange 31, isprovided at both ends of each flange 31, whereby the cartridge storagecase 100 forms, when it is stored in the corrugated box, triangle holesbetween the chamfered portions 49 and an interior wall surface of thecorrugated box, so that the fingers of the hands of the user can beinserted into the triangle holes so formed to easily take the storedcartridge storage case 100 out of the corrugated box.

Furthermore, although not shown, the chamfered portion 49 may beconfigured so as to be provided with a pinching tag in such a manner asto extend therefrom. In this case, when the upper case 23 and the lowercase 25, which are constructed identically, are brought into theface-to-face superposed state for engagement with each other, as isshown in FIG. 8, to form therein the divided compartments 27, a verticalseparation of pinching tags 51 which are provided on the upper case 23and the lower case 25, respectively, facilitates the release of theengagement between the upper case 23 and the lower case 25.

Moreover, a stepped bent portion is formed along an outermostcircumference of the upper case 23 and the lower case 25 by bendingslightly a circumferential edge thereof. As with the elongatedprojection 41 and the recessed groove 43, this stepped bent portion isformed on either of the sides of the case across the center line 45,whereby when the upper case 23 and the lower case 25 are brought intothe face-to-face superposed state, the stepped bent portion on one ofthe cases covers the circumferential edge of the other case on which nostepped bent portion is formed, whereby the dustproofness andwaterproofness are increased.

Furthermore, large and small quadrangular frame portions 53 a, 53 b areprovided on an exterior bottom surface portion of each dividedcompartment 27 in such a manner as to swell outwards therefrom so as tofit on and in their mating small and large frame portions, whereby eventhough cartridge storage cases 100 are placed one on another, theoccurrence of a relative horizontal deviation therebetween is restrictedwhen quadrangular frame portions 53 a, 53 b on a lower surface of theupper cartridge storage case 100 fit on and in quadrangular frameportions 53 b, 53 a on an upper surface of the lower cartridge storagecase 100, whereby the collapse of cartridge storage cases which arevertically stacked up can be prevented.

The upper case 23 and the lower case 25 are each made up of an integralmolded part of a plastic resin. Because of this, a mass production ofupper cases 23 and lower cases 25 which have such fastness properties asto ensure the protection of cartridges and proper impact absorbingproperties is enabled with ease and at low cost using a material whichis relatively easy to handle.

This plastic resin is such as to include any of, for example,polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Using any ofpolyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene as theplastic resin facilitates the acquisition of a material, and inaddition, cartridge storage cases can be recycled and reused when theyare disposed of, this enabling an easy and inexpensive vacuum molding.

In addition, a plastic resin having a light transmitting property ispreferable, whereby even in a case where the upper case 23 and the lowercase 25 are brought into engagement with each other so as to produce atightly closed state in the divided compartments 27, the cartridges 21which are stored in the divided compartments 27 are visible from theoutside, thereby making it possible to easily grasp a cartridge storingcondition within the divided compartments 27.

In addition, by forming the case using a plastic resin sheet of athickness in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 mm through an orientation process,a minimum structural strength for the divided compartment which storestherein the plurality of cartridges 21 can be secured economically, andthe weight of the whole of the case can be minimized while satisfyingthe minimum strength. In addition, by forming the case from the materialhaving the aforesaid thickness, the case is allowed to be deformedproperly when an external force is applied thereto, the impact absorbingeffect on the stored cartridges can be secured to an optimum level.Namely, with a material which is thinner than the aforesaid thickness,the deformation tends to occur too easily, reducing the impact absorbingeffect.

On the contrary, with a material which is thicker than the aforesaidthickness, the deformation tends to occur with difficulty, a stateresults in which the impact is transmitted directly to the storedcartridges. In the configuration of the embodiment, by setting thethickness of the plastic resin sheet to the aforesaid thickness, theformation of an optimum impact absorbing portion (crushable zone)becomes possible.

According to the cartridge storage case which is configured as has beendescribed heretofore, since at least the divided compartment is formedwhich holds therein the group of cartridges which is formed into theblock-like shape by arranging the plurality of cartridges in parallel inthe thickness direction thereof and the spaced portions are formed incorner portions of the divided compartment, the plurality of cartridgescan be stored in the divided compartment altogether due to the pluralityof cartridges being arranged into the single block, and this enables thecartridge storing work to be completed within a short period of timewith good efficiency, thereby making it possible to remarkably increasethe efficiency of the cartridge storing work. In addition, in case thecase falls to hit the ground or the like, an impact generated then canbe absorbed by the spaced portions, thereby making it possible toincrease the resistance to impact relative to the stored cartridges.

Although it has been found that the cartridge storage case according tothe preceding invention is superior in several points, it has also beennoticed that the cartridge storage case has still a weak point to bedealt with successfully.

That is, it has been found that in the midst of carrying the cartridgestorage case by gripping on one end of the case by the hand with theother end thereof placed downwards, when an unreasonable force isapplied to the upper case and the lower case in a direction in which theupper case and the lower case are forcibly separated from each other,there is caused a risk that the upper case and the lower case areseparated from each other, and the cartridges which constitute thecontents of the cartridge storage case get loose and fall to hit theground or the like violently to thereby be broken and damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention was made with a view to solving the problem of thecartridge storage case of the preceding invention, and an object thereofis to provide a cartridge storage case in which even though anunreasonable force is applied to an upper case and a lower case in adirection in which the upper case and the lower case are forciblyseparated from each other, the separation of the upper case and thelower case can be prevented.

(1) According to an aspect of the present invention, a cartridge storagecase comprising: a first cartridge storage case having a substantiallyrectangular shape, and including a first projection, a first recess anda first divided compartment holding a group of cartridges which isformed into a block-like shape by arranging a plurality of flat-shapedcartridges in parallel in a thickness direction thereof; a secondcartridge storage case having a substantially rectangular shape, andincluding a second projection, a second recess and a second dividedcompartment having a substantially identical shape with the firstdivided compartment; and a hinge connecting a side of the firstcartridge storage case with a side of the second cartridge storage casebeing opposite to the side of the first cartridge storage case, whereinthe first and second cartridge storage case and hinge are integrallymolded, and the first and second divided compartment constitute acartridge storage portion by superposing and engaging with the first andsecond cartridge storage case, the cartridge storage portion having avolume which is twice a volume of one of the first and second cartridgestorage case, wherein the first and second cartridge storage casecomprise an elongated handle through hole, respectively, which isprovided in a side location which is opposite to a side where the hingeis provided in the first and second cartridge storage case.

(2) A cartridge storage case as described in the item (1), whichcomprises a through hole provided in a circumferential edge area of thefirst and second cartridge storage case. (3) A cartridge storage case asdescribed in the item (2), which comprises a fastening member fasteningtogether the first and second cartridge storage case, the fasteningmember being mounted in the elongated handle through hole. (4) Acartridge storage case as described in item (3), wherein the fasteningmember is a fastening strap of a snap-lock pin. (5) A cartridge storagecase as described in the item (1), which comprises a security sealaffixed to the elongated handle through hole.

By adopting the configuration described above, the cartridge storagecase can be obtained in which even though an unreasonable force isapplied to the upper case and the lower case of the cartridge storagecase in a direction in which the upper case and the lower case areseparated from each other in such a state that the cartridges are storedin the cartridge storage case, the upper case and the lower case arenever separated from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention disclosed herein will be understood better with referenceto the following drawings of which:

FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing Embodiment 1 of the invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2D are diagrams showing Embodiment 2 of the invention;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams showing Embodiment 3 of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing Embodiment 4 of the invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing Embodiment 5 of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a first conventional method ofstoring a plurality of cartridges;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a second conventional method ofstoring a plurality of cartridges;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an upper case and a lower case,which are being separated, of a cartridge storage case according to theinvention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams of the upper case shown in FIG.8, in which a plan view of the upper case is shown at FIG. 9A, and aside view thereof at FIG. 9B; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the cartridge storagecase, in which a view seen in a direction indicated by an arrow A inFIG. 9A is shown at FIG. 10A, and an external view of a main part of thecartridge storage case is shown at FIG. 10B which shows impact-absorbingribs which are provided on an exterior wall surface of a dividedcompartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of cartridge storage cases accordingto the invention will be described in detail by reference to theaccompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIGS. 1A to 1C show a cartridge storage case according to Embodiment 1,in which FIG. A is a plan view showing a state in which the cartridgestorage case according to the invention is opened, FIG. 1B is a planview showing a state in which the cartridge storage case is closed, andFIG. 1C is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge storage case shownin FIG. 1C.

In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 23 denotes an upper case serving as afirst cartridge storage case, 25 denotes a lower case serving as asecond cartridge storage case, and 100 denotes a cartridge storage casewhich is made up by connecting the upper case 23 with the lower case 25by means of a hinge 100 j.

Reference numeral look denotes a first divided compartment (which isdenoted by 27 in FIG. 9), 100 l denotes a second divided compartment(which is denoted by 27 in FIG. 9), and 100 g denotes an elongatedhandle through hole. The upper case 23, the lower case 25 and the hinge100 j are molded into an integral part through plastic injection moldingor the like. The hinge 100 j is molded thinner than the thickness of theupper case 23 and the thickness of the lower case 25, and the upper case23 and the lower case 25 are made to be folded over so as to besuperposed on each other in a face-to-face fashion from the hinge 100 jwhich functions as a center of the folding. Then, when, firstly,cartridges are stored in the divided compartments and thereafter, theupper case 23 is folded over the lower case 25 so as to be superposedthereon in the face-to-face fashion from the hinge 100 j as the centerof the folding, the cartridge storage case 100 results as shown in FIG.1B. In such a state that the upper case 23 and the lower case 25 arefolded to be superposed on each other in such a way, the first dividedcompartments 100 k of the upper case 23 and the second dividedcompartments 100 l of the lower case 25 are superposed vertically oneach other in a face-to-face fashion as shown in FIG. 1C, so as to formdivided compartment spaces each having a storage capacity which is twicethat of the divided compartments which make them up, and cartridges arestored in the divided compartment spaces (cartridge storage portions) soformed.

In addition, since the elongated handle through holes 100 g are alsosuperposed on each other in the similar way, the cartridge storage case100 can be carried in a suspended fashion by gripping on this handlethrough holes, which are now superposed on each other to form a singleelongated handle through hole, by the hand as a handle of the case.Then, even though the cartridge storage case 100 is carried in thesuspended fashion by the hand, since the hinge is formed on a side ofthe case which is opposite to a side thereof where the superposedelongated through holes 100 g lie now, even though an unreasonable forceis applied to the upper case and the lower case in the direction inwhich the cases are forcibly separated from each other, the upper caseand the lower case are never disengaged from each other on the sidewhere the hinge is formed, and therefore, the cartridge storage can beobtained which is safer than that provided by the preceding invention.

Embodiment 2

FIGS. 2A to 2D show Embodiment 2, in which an upper case and a lowercase are made securer, compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, soas not to be disengaged from each other. Namely, commercially availablefastening members are positively used, and shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B arefastening members, a fastening strap being shown in FIG. 2A and asnap-lock pin in FIG. 2B.

A fastening strap 91 shown in FIG. 2A is formed from a plastic materialand is made up of a locking portion 91A which has one locking hole 91 aand a strap-like element 91B which is continuously connected to thelocking portion 91A and which has a number of locking ribs 91 b providedon both sides thereof. Then, the strap-like element 91B is wound roundan object to which it is fastened, and a distal end of the strap-likeelement 91B is passed through the locking hole 91 a in the lockingportion 91A. Thereafter, when the distal end of the strap-like element91B is pulled strongly, the locking ribs 91 b on the strap-like element91B are locked inside the locking hole 91 a, whereby a requiredfastening is obtained.

A snap-lock pin 92 shown in FIG. 2B is made up of a locking head 92A anda penetrating member 92B which is fixed to the locking head 92A, wherebywhen the penetrating member 92B is passed through a through hole in anobject to which the snap-lock pin 92 is fastened, although thepenetrating member 92B and a distal end portion 92C are contracteddiametrically while they are passing through the through hole, thepenetrating member 92B and the distal end portion 92C are allowed toexpand to their original positions after having passed through thethrough hole, whereby a reverse movement thereof is prevented, so as toobtain a required fastening.

FIG. 2C is a plan view showing fastening positions on a cartridgestorage case which is fastened by means of the fastening members shownin FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2D is a vertical sectional view of the cartridgestorage case shown in FIG. 2C taken along the line which passes throughleft and right through holes 100 h, first divided compartments look andsecond divided compartments 100 l.

In the plan view shown in FIG. 2C, reference numeral 23 denotes an uppercase, 25 a lower case, 100 h through holes opened in the upper case andthe lower case, 100 g elongated handle through holes opened in the uppercase and the lower case, and 100 j a hinge which connects the upper case23 with the lower case 25. The through holes 100 h are formed in thevicinity of a circumferential edge of a rectangular formed by the uppercase 23, the lower case 25 and the hinge 100 j.

In the plan view shown in FIG. 2C, by folding the upper case 23 over thelower case 25 from the hinge 100 j which functions as a center of thefolding so that the upper case 23 is superposed on the lower case 25 ina face-to-face fashion, divided compartments 100 l in the lower case 25and their mating divided compartments 100 k in the upper case 23 areintegrated with each other individually, and the through holes 25 h and23 h which are opened in both the upper case 23 and the lower case 25are also integrated so as to be concentric with each other, wherebybypassing the fastening members shown in FIG. 2A (the snap-lock pin 92in the figure) through the through holes 25 h and 23 h so as to fix theupper case and the lower case together, the upper case and the lowercase are integrated together strongly and rigidly, and even though alarge magnitude of force is applied to the upper case and the lower casewhich are in the integrally fastened state in a direction in which theupper case and the lower case are separated from each other duringtransportation, the upper case and the lower case are never separatedfrom each other in any case.

Note that when the cartridges are removed from the cartridge storagecase for use after the completion of transportation, the fasteningmembers may be cut to be broken.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 is such that a security seal is wound round a handle of acartridge storage case which is made up by integrally connecting anupper case and a lower case together so as to secure the integralconnection of the upper case and the lower case, as well as the securityof the cartridge storage case.

FIGS. 3A to 3D show diagrams which describe Embodiment 3, in which FIGS.3A to 3D are plan views of cartridge storage cases 100 to 103 which aredifferent in the number of through holes and snap-lock pins, with asecurity seal 100 s used on all the cartridge storage cases 100 to 103.The security seal 100 s is wound round an elongated handle through hole100 g, so as to make difficult the disengagement of the upper case andthe lower case. In addition, since the upper case cannot be disengagedfrom each other without breaking the security seal 100 s, the securityof cartridges stored in the cartridge storage case can be ensured.

A cartridge storage case 100 which uses four through holes and foursnap-lock pins is shown in FIG. 3A, a cartridge storage case 101 whichuses four through holes and two snap-lock pins is shown in FIG. 3B, acartridge storage case 102 which uses two through holes 2 and twosnap-lock pins is shown in FIG. 3C, and a cartridge storage case 103which uses six through holes and two snap-lock pins is shown in FIG. 3D.

Embodiment 4

While in Embodiment 2, the through holes are opened in the upper caseand the lower case, Embodiment 4 offers a method of ensuring theintegral connection of an upper case and a lower case without openingthrough holes.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show drawings which explain Embodiment 4, in which FIG.4A shows an end portion of a flange area of a cartridge storage case104, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the cartridge storage case 104.

In the figures, reference numeral 93 denotes a commercially availableclip, and such clips are provided at four locations on a circumferentialedge portion of the cartridge storage case 104 in such a manner as topinch the upper case and the lower case between legs thereofindividually. By adopting this configuration, the integral connection ofthe upper case and the lower case can be ensured, and moreover, aproduction step of opening through holes is made unnecessary.

Embodiment 5

Embodiment 5 is characterized in that an elongated handle through holeis also provided on the hinge side of the cartridge storage cases ofEmbodiments 1 to 4. While the cartridge storage cases of Embodiments 1to 4 have to be carried by one of the hands, according to Embodiment 5,there is provided a cartridge storage case which is superior in that thecartridge storage case can be carried in both ways, that is, thecartridge storage case can be carried by both the hands and by one ofthe hands in the suspended fashion.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show a cartridge storage case according to Embodiment 5,in which FIG. 5A is a plan view showing a state in which the cartridgestorage case is opened, FIG. 5B is a plan showing a state in which thecartridge storage case is closed, and FIG. 5C is a vertical sectionalview of the cartridge storage case taken along the line which passesthrough elongated handle through holes shown in FIG. 5B.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a cartridge storage case according toEmbodiment 5 of the invention, 105 g an elongated handle through holewhich is provided additionally on a hinge side of the cartridge storagecase. In the event that reference numerals imparted to the otherconstituent portions of the cartridge storage case of the embodiment arelike to those shown in FIGS. 1A to 3D, since they denote likeconstituent portions to those shown in the figures, the descriptionthereof will be omitted herein to avoid the repetition of the samedescription.

Since elongated handle through holes 100 g, 105 g opened in an uppercase and a lower case, respectively, are superposed on each other byfolding an upper case over a lower case from a hinge 100 j whichfunctions as a center of the folding so that the upper case issuperposed on the lower case in a face-to-face fashion, the cartridgestorage case can be carried by gripping on both the elongated handlethrough holes by both the hands as handles of the case, whereby thecartridge storage case can be obtained which is easy to carry.

As this occurs, needless to say, by applying the techniques disclosed inEmbodiments 2 to 4 to Embodiment 5, the upper case and the lower caseare fastened together using the fastening members or held together usingthe clips so as not to be disengaged from each other, and the securityseal is affixed to both the elongated handle through holes.

As is seen from what has been described heretofore, the strong and rigidcartridge storage case can be obtained in which even though anunreasonable force is applied to the upper case and the lower case ofthe cartridge storage case in the direction in which the cases areseparated from each other in such a state that cartridges are stored inthe cartridge storage case, the upper case and the lower case are neverdisengaged from each other in any case since they are hinge connectedtogether.

The present application claims foreign priority based on Japanese PatentApplication (JP 2006-023067) filed Jan. 31, 2006, the contents of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

1. A cartridge storage case comprising: a first cartridge storage casehaving a substantially rectangular shape, and including a firstprojection, a first recess and a first divided compartment holding agroup of cartridges which is formed into a block-like shape by arranginga plurality of flat-shaped cartridges in parallel in a thicknessdirection thereof; a second cartridge storage case having asubstantially rectangular shape, and including a second projection, asecond recess and a second divided compartment having a substantiallyidentical shape with the first divided compartment; and a hingeconnecting a side of the first cartridge storage case with a side of thesecond cartridge storage case being opposite to the side of the firstcartridge storage case, wherein the first and second cartridge storagecase and hinge are integrally molded, and the first and second dividedcompartment constitute a cartridge storage portion by superposing andengaging with the first and second cartridge storage case, the cartridgestorage portion having a volume which is twice a volume of one of thefirst and second cartridge storage case, wherein the first and secondcartridge storage case comprise an elongated handle through hole,respectively, which is provided in a side location which is opposite toa side where the hinge is provided in the first and second cartridgestorage case.
 2. A cartridge storage case as claimed in claim 1, whichcomprises a through hole provided in a circumferential edge area of thefirst and second cartridge storage case.
 3. A cartridge storage case asclaimed in claim 2, which comprises a fastening member fasteningtogether the first and second cartridge storage case, the fasteningmember being mounted in the elongated handle through hole.
 4. Acartridge storage case as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fasteningmember is a fastening strap of a snap-lock pin.
 5. A cartridge storagecase as claimed in claim 1, which comprises a security seal affixed tothe elongated handle through hole.